Biz Beat: Oakdale Indian store set to close

OAKDALE -- Longtime tourist fixture Paul's Indian Store in Oakdale is closing today after more than 40 years in business.

The store, which sells southwestern and American Indian art, jewelry and collectibles, has been at 1725 E. F St. for a dozen years. Before that, it was in Escalon for some 30 years. And before that, it was founded in Arizona.

The store was started by current owner Linda Reed's father, the Paul from the store's name. Reed took over about a decade ago. But the 56-year-old said the slow economy has forced her to close the store.

"We are very disappointed and so are our customers," Reed said. "We've been around for so long and have unique items."

The shop sells everything from moccasins to rugs and rawhide drums.

Reed said the past four years have been slow for the store, but the past year in particular has been bad. For the past couple of months, the store has been reducing its inventory with a closing sale.

Reed and her husband plan to leave California and move to Oklahoma, where they have family. She said she is going to semi-retire and perhaps open another business. But she said she's out of the American Indian business for good.

"It was a difficult decision to make," she said. "We wish we could continue to do it."

The store will be open until 6 p.m. today. For more information, call (209) 847-8763.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

Two stores have filled prominent open spots in McHenry Village this month.

Furniture & More and Envy Fine Clothing have moved into the spaces formerly occupied by Beardsley's Book & Bible and Artel Art Center, respectively. Artel closed in April, and Beardsley's moved this summer to a smaller space in the center.

Locally owned Furniture & More opened this month in the 10,000-square-foot space and offers bedroom, living room and dining room furniture and more. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call (209) 524-1882.

Next door, Envy Fine Clothing has opened, making the third location for the local clothing retailer. The boutique, which sells women's, men's and kids' clothing, also has stores in Atwater and Turlock.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; it is closed Sunday. Call (209) 525-3689.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Marijke Rowland at The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; (209) 578-2284 or mrowland@modbee.com.